Timeline
06:55
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
Arrive at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden and find a spot on the circular plaza. The brutalist architecture frames the sky perfectly as the sun begins to crest. The museum is open from 12:00 PM on Mondays, but the exterior plaza is accessible before opening hours.
08:10
Head to Central Michel Richard for a pre-lunch bite. The restaurant opens for lunch at 11:30 AM, so you will need to wait for the doors to open or grab a coffee from the lobby if available. The American haute cuisine is a rewarding treat after the early start.
08:25
Walk 14 minutes east to the United States Botanic Garden. This is one of the least visited attractions on the Mall, offering a quiet, green escape from the tourist rush. The extensive botanical collection is a serene way to end the morning.
Local tip
The Hirshhorn plaza is the best vantage point for the sunrise in this area. Bring a jacket as mornings near the water can be chilly.
Check before you go
- The Hirshhorn Museum opens at 12:00 PM on Mondays. The plaza is open before then.
- Central Michel Richard lunch service begins at 11:30 AM on Mondays.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Washington, D.C. (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).